Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Finished Altered Cigar Box Purse & Book Winner!!

If you recall last week I started an altered cigar box purse to celebrate Laura Childs new book "Postcards From the Dead".    As one of the projects in the book made at Memory Mine I thought it would be fun to make one as well.

So, here is where we left the purse last week...drying after 2-3 coats of collage medium to seal the paper and make it more durable.

cigar box purse 015
 
Next I screwed in a couple of eye screws into the holes we drilled at the start of our project.  These eye screws make it really nice because you can use just about any type of handle you want.
 
Altered Cigar Purse 001
 
Now, here is where being a pack rat comes in handy!  When I go to garage sales, flea markets, etc. I always keep my eye out for old metal belts or necklaces.  You never know when you're going to need them.  I normally don't pay more than .50 each so they are a real bargain when compared to spending $10-30.00 a foot for this type of chain at a craft or beading store. 
 
So, which would you choose????
 
Altered Cigar Purse 003
 
I went with a twisted rope design (in the upper right corner of the above photo).  I was able to open up the existing connecting link and hook it right into the eye screw.  It works well with another embellishment I wanted to incorporate.
 
Altered Cigar Purse 005
 
Next I added that extra bit of style with this black & gold fringe tassel. 
I simply positioned the tassels as desired; tied the cord in a knot around the eye screw and snipped off the excess cord.
 
Altered Cigar Purse 007
 
And here is how it looks at this point...
(sorry about the bad light...it's our bathroom & it's got awful lighting)
 
Altered Cigar Purse 008
 
Now originally I had planned on adding an image of the Eiffel Tower on the front but I really don't think it needs it.  I kind of like the look it's got at this point so I decided to just leave it as is.
 
Altered Cigar Purse 010
 
I didn't do a thing to the inside either except add a bit of ink around the edges...I like the natural look of the wood.  You of course could get real fancy and finish off the inside, add a mirror to the lid, lining to the bottom section, etc.  But it's totally up to you :)
 
Altered Cigar Purse 012
 
Now, I had originally planned on giving this cigar box away but to be honest with you I just love it way too much to part with it - LOL!!
 
So, I tell you what I'm going to do ~
 
I'm going to give away a wood cigar box, a few similar pieces of paper, eye screws & some chain so you can make your own cigar box!
 
To be entered into the drawing, simply post a comment telling me when and/or where you would use your finished cigar box purse.  The folks who posted on the first installment will be entered into this drawing as well!
 
Carmela (from the book) took hers to the opera and received many compliments!
 
You have until 10-19-12 to enter.
 
AND
 
Now for the winner of the autographed copy of
 "Postcards from the Dead".... 
(as drawn by random.org)
 
is....
 
Kristy Tyra!!!!
 
Kristy Tyrasaid...
This sounds fun. I have never read any of her books, but the genre is one of my favorites. Now I need to go look for some of her books!

 
Congratulations Kristy!!
Please contact me with your snail mail addy so I can pass it along to Ms. Childs.
 
 

31 comments:

  1. It turned out so cute! I would use it for storage, maybe jewelry or makeup.

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  2. I love the look of your cigar box purse and would enjoy wearing it and showing it off to all my friends at karaoke! They would love it too!

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  3. I was SO hoping I would win the cigar box purse. I would set it where I could enjoy looking at it, but first I would want to wear it somewhere it would get maximum exposure! Such as a craft fair - think how appreciated it would be there! I have my fingers crossed!

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  4. That's awesome! I would love to be sporting one of those beauties when I go to my next stamping retreat! I got my fingers crossed! LOL!

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  5. You are so talented and this box bag is so original - a truly work of art.

    I would acutally take it to lip reading classes and use it first as my 'mystery object' it would sure fool the rest of the group, and they would find it fascinating - and very challenging, and of course I would use it as a handbag or purse as you call them - it would be a great talking point, and 'ice breaker'.

    I would really enjoy the project of making one myself - we don't see cigar boxes that big over here!

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  6. I would have never thought that one could turn a simple cigar box into such an amazing bag. WOW, it is fabulous!!!

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  7. Your purse is adorable! I would love to make one. Thanks for the idea.

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  8. Your cigar box purse turned out sooo well! I love it! you have inspired me. Thank you... If i had one I would take it on my imaginary vacation - and boy will we have fun!

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  9. Roni -

    I don't blame you for wanting to keep the purse. It is stunning! You did a fabulous job with it, I love how it turned out.

    Elaine Allen

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  10. Can't blame you for not parting with the purse... it's gorgeous!! How fun would it be to win the supplies to make one!! Crossing my fingers and toes it'll be me!

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  11. Gorgeous purse. I would definitely use it for a holiday party.

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  12. Your purse turned out wonderfully! I love that you left the inside "88" as well. I think it would be so fun to make one, hmm, I think I would keep a tiny art journal kit in it. :) BTW congrats Kristy! You will love her books!

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  13. Super cute purse,! I fully understand why you are keeping this beauty! I would love to be able to make a cigar box purse for my upcoming 30th wedding anniversary. I have been gathering a collection of papers and unique pieces of random ephemera that represents our interests and all of those special shared memories from the last 30 years. We are planning a stay-cation for this event and the purse would be the perfect reminder of the importance of celebrating life with the one that you love.

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  14. I would just love this cigar box, I would use it for storing the jewelry my husband gave me, it is a beautiful work of art. thanks for sharing.

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  15. This is too cute to just take out for a special occasion so I'd use it all the time, but I'd especially make sure and take it to my art club meetings so everyone else can be sooo jealous!

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  16. Love your purse! I am planning to go on a once in a lifetime trip in December to England to meet my first grandchild, and then on to France to see my sister who I have not seen in years. My box would come along to collect memories and then after I return home would allow me to experience these moments again while making my own memory purse. lisa (grandmom in training)

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  17. Hi, Roni! I'm so excited to be a winner! I can't wait to read it! Thank you, Roni. I also want to thank you for all that you share knowledge wise on your blog. I've learned so many cool things! Here is my snail mail:

    Kristy Tyra
    602 Main St.
    Clay City, IN 47427

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  18. Your purse turned out very nicely! I asked my Mom if she still had one that I remember from my childhood, and she said yes. So, we may have to dig it out and redo it! How fun!

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  19. Love your purse!

    I would take mine with me when I went to auctions and tag sales. Seems to be the right size to hold the necessities; money, paper, pen, and one or two other items (like my Epi Pen).

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  20. what a beautiful purse!! If I had one like that I would take it everywhere with me to show it off!!

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  21. Gorgeous project! Great technique on finishing!

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  22. I don't know where you find the time, Roni!!! Beautiful as usual! Again, thanks for the inspiration.

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  23. Eee! How fun! Your purse is amazing! Let's see, If I made one, I'd where it ...Oh just everywhere!

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  24. I love the cigar box purse! The papers are wonderful and I completely understand why you wouldn't want to part with it. :)

    And while I don't attend many operas, I'd love to make one of my own to take on a dinner date with friends or a night out with my sweetheart. It would be a great accessory and definitely a conversation starter!

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  25. I would LOVE to make this for my daughter to take to England on her upcoming mission trip.

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  26. This is super AWESOME! I Love it! I love the 88 inside. You did a beautiful job on this purse, I also would not give it away. I would carry a purse like that to plays and other special places!
    Oh the fun!!!!

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  27. cute cigar purse!!! Thanks for sharing with us. I would use/take my purse during Christmas. I love Christmas time.

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  28. I would use the purse everywhere!
    So cute!

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  29. I would take mine to a crop were having at my local scrap store, it's an upcoming Melbourne race cup day, were we all get dressed up, wear pretty things in our hair, drink champers, crop and have a laugh....

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  30. I would take my cigar purse everywhere I went. Since my purse is a bag pack.

    Thanks for the chance to win.

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  31. Love it, would carry it to girls lunch at the Bistro!
    Elaine Paullus

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Thanks for your thoughts and comments!